landscape on a vast space

A taste of a magical night...

Me with my gal pals, Chrissy and Beth, at UP Quezon Hall, right in front of Oble.

I was so glad to have witnessed this year's UP Diliman’s Lantern Parade with two of my friends, Beth and Chrissy, who are very dear to me. It has been an all-girl affair. Much as we wanted it to be a reunion of Sunrise or Golden Legacy people as what we try to do every holiday season, it couldn't be so because Brian was busy with work.

Though he was missed, we enjoyed the night of course. The weather was perfect, creating a sort of magical ambiance wherein all sorts of UPians and non-UPians alike lined around the Academic Oval, mingling and gathering to take part in this annual festivity to celebrate Christmas. What was great about it was that the lanterns showcased UP’s 100^th Year, which were really creative and ingenious, as usual. My personal favourites were the Ikot Jeepney and the UAAP 2007 parody (soooper kulet!). Everyone was laughing insanely, like it was an experience being shared among the witnesses.

A scene from the UAAP 2007 parody.

I took this shot of Beth, with the Ikot (Oble on the top) lantern in the background.

Beth was hoping to capture a closer look of the same lantern but it was moving quite fast. Chrissy and I in the foreground.

The fireworks display after the show was jaw-dropping. It was an amazing explosion (forgive the pun) of hues and tints, painting the black sky with different shapes of sparks. The contrast of the splashes of colors against the blackness of the night was visually stunning. The ooohs, aaahs, and wooows kept pouring out of us. It was as if the last firework, with its gigantic spread, blocked out the sky and enveloped us in its glow. Such a warm feeling it evoked.

Some shots of the wonderful fireworks. They're not very excellent shots, though.

And if all those weren’t enough, food might just be the thing to complete the event. Oh boy, it was fun to have food within arm’s reach coz of the food stalls around the oval? Actually, the first thing we wanted to do was hunt down a shawarma stall but we only got to finally buy just before the fireworks show. Yummmyy! No complaints here except that I got quite bitin. Wehehe! *wink*

Above is CSSP's lantern. Below are pictures of me and Chrissy in front of CSSP's lantern. If you'd take a closer look, both of us are holding shawarma and water. Picture-taking and eating at the same time--best!

Oh, what is an event without picture-taking?

Truly, it was a night of merry-making with friends, something I love to do every chance I get. After all, Christmas is one special season to be celebrated with family and friends. Cheers guys! *clink*

Labels: UP Lantern Parade, UP Pasko 2007